The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex continental organisation responsible for facilitating and coordinating the advancement of agricultural research and innovation on the continent. It is also the technical arm of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA)-NEPAD on the mobilization of science, technology, and innovation (STI) for the development of the continent’s agriculture and food system. FARA’s unique role is to enhance the connection of science, technology, and innovation through the AASW event and the agribusiness platform, with the main thematic areas being:
- Science – Business Nexus to Boost Intra-African Trade
- Nutrition Sensitive and Gender-Responsive Food Systems
- Climate Resilience, Natural Resource Management and Farming Systems Transition
- Knowledge Management, Digitalisation, and Youth Entrepreneurship
- Policies, Institutions, Capacities
Venue
The International Convention Center, Durban, South Africa will host the 8th African Agribusiness and Science Week AASW8. Registered participants will be hosted at the Southern Sun Hotel and at the Garden Court Marine Parade in Durban. The theme for (AASW8) is; Linking Science, Innovation, and Agri-Business for Resilient Food Systems.
FARA believes that South Africa, strategically, is best suited to host the inaugural edition of this event in June 2023. According to the 2020 report by the International Trade Administration, South Africa has by far the most modern, productive, and diverse agricultural economy compared to the rest of Africa. South Africa has a well-developed agricultural sector and is most diverse, consisting of corporate and private intensive and extensive farming systems and well-developed commercial farming. South Africa, therefore, forms a good case study for gathering best practices and possible solutions for adoption by other African countries. Drawing on experience, FARA considers that to give the event traction and consolidate its strategic position as Africa’s leading science-to-business event, it will be necessary to hold the event in the same location for five years. FARA is seeking to partner with sponsors to host the event in South Africa over the next five years. Commercial sponsorship opportunities with exciting ROI returns are explained in more detail in section 3 below. The benefits to sponsors of being involved in the AASW event are highlighted below. Make sure that your company is part of the process that reduces Africa’s current dependence on agricultural imports valued at US$ 110 billion while at the same time being at the forefront of unlocking the World Bank’s prediction that Africa’s Agribusiness market will top US$ 1 trillion by 2030. The 8th Africa Agribusiness and Science Week (AASW8) in June 2023 is the continent’s MUST-ATTEND Science-to-Business platform for SPONSORS and/or EXHIBITORS as it provides a one-stop platform to develop relations, exchange knowledge and assess opportunities. A total of over 50 African states, north of 40 participating organizations, more than 60 speakers and over a 1000 delegates will be in attendance
Who Should Participate in the AASW Agribusiness Platform?
The AASW8 is open to all:
Researchers, extensionists, and all actors in Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) space
Investors in agriculture, Agri processing industry experts, and suppliers (who service small scale farmers with digital support APPS, through to suppliers of large-scale commercial farming equipment to showcase their latest technology in mechanization
Local and international banks
Commodity dealers, traders, and Insurers
Agri processing Packaging and marketing
Development Agencies
Investors
Country pavilions from the African Continent as well as Africa’s trading partners from the Middle East, Europe, the Far East, and America
What to Expect at the AASW8?
Workshop sessions on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and specifically how the continent will leverage innovation, science, and business to improve the competitiveness and mobility of commodities produced within the continent.
A broad-based Agritech Expo to showcase the latest technology and innovations relevant to all types and sizes of farming and agribusiness enterprises. The Expo is an opportunity for leaders in Agri-tech to market their latest technologies and create business partnerships and scale up productivity so that the continent can become less dependent on agricultural imports.
An Investment Forum – a space for interaction and negotiation of prospective partnerships among researchers, supply chain businesses, and investors.
Field visits to agricultural projects selected by the sponsors to demonstrate opportunities and challenges for agribusiness development & incubation in the region.
Match-making workshop & related activities linking key buyers on the continent and beyond to farmers and Agri-processors across the Agri-spectrum in Africa.
How to Apply or Register
Registration can be made in different modes, registration as delegate or participant, registration as an exhibition partner, registration as side-event organizer, registration as a speaker, registration as media partner, registration as organizing team and registration as a sponsoring partner. All the above registration types are carefully indicated in the Registration form on the AASW8 website (register here: https://aasw.faraafrica.org/product/participant-registration/)
Registering Participants will be charged a registration fee of $250. Exhibition Stand Packages vary by sq meter (see here: https://aasw.faraafrica.org/storage/2022/11/Exhibition-Stand-Packages_page-0001.jpg) Registered exhibition partners are guaranteed recognition as exhibition partner on onsite branding and event collateral, passes to the AASW8 cocktail party, listing on AASW8 website and 2023 brochure as exhibition partner, access to match-making workshops, up to 5 personal introductions with key targets from attendee list and any additional delegate passes will be charged at the reduced rate. Sponsorship Packages come in three tiers, each tier possesses specific packages that vary per tier (see here: https://aasw.faraafrica.org/sponsorship/).
Registered Sponsor Partners will have the unique opportunity of providing important input into high-level discussions regarding the formulation of a viable and implementable Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, present the company’s unique selling points to leading players and professionals in the agribusiness space, take advantage of dedicated workshops and buyer sessions to identify opportunities and gain key access to talent for your company by interacting with young professionals specializing across the agricultural value chain. Sponsorship Partners will also be guaranteed passes to African Agribusiness Science Week workshops, logo listed as a sponsor on the event website, logo listed as a sponsor in the 2023 Event Brochure, opportunity to receive up to 5 personal introductions to key, invites to the opening cocktail party and dinner (number of invites depends on the sponsorship package taken), hosted buyers list, access to the match-making service, the attendee list will be provided one week before the event, any additional delegate passes will be charged at the reduced rate
